Just Transition

Ensuring fairness through change

Climate change will bring disruption and there is a need to ensure that any changes do not fall unfairly on any groups.

The enormous challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic and the inequalities in the way the impacts were felt give us some insight into the scale of the action required on the global climate emergency. The Climate Change Act 2019 embeds the principles of a just transition; this means as we reduce our emissions and respond to a changing climate, our journey is fair and creates a better future for everyone – regardless of where they live, what they do, and who they are.

Just Transition Commission

The approach we take to our climate ambition must be one that is fair and just, with actions around climate and improved social inclusion considered equally. A Just Transition Commission beginning early 2019 has been engaging with stakeholders across Scotland on how to maximise the economic and social opportunities form meeting emission reduction targets, while managing the risks. 

In September 2021 a Scottish Government response to the report of the Just Transition Commission was published. 

In addition, the Our Green Recovery report (July 2020) reflecting on the Covid 19 pandemic, noted evidence that those who are most disadvantaged in our society had been impacted the most by the pandemic.

The commission highlighted the need for commitment from the Government, business, trade unions and the buy in of workers and communities in the journey towards net zero. Many of the measures to achieve net zero emissions require some level of change in the way society operates and taking a place based, people-centred approach to the way in which we take action can assist in ensuring a just transition. .

Climate Ready Scotland, Scotland’s climate change adaptation programme, sets out a programme to prepare Scotland for the challenges as the climate continues to change. There are seven outcomes in the programme of work, and Outcome Two “The people in Scotland who are most vulnerable to climate change are able to adapt and climate justice is embedded in climate change adaptation policy” focuses on the importance of engaging and empowering those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) is working on Climate Action Towns. In November 2021, more information on the seven towns that A&DS will be working with were announced. The project aims to empower and support communities to take place-based climate action and builds on the Carbon Conscious Places report. There are also Carbon Conscious Towns Case Studies